Return to the Australian Native Plants Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Port Jackson Pine Tree
| | |
Posted by surfedonin Broken Hill (My Page) on Mon, Feb 6, 06 at 19:56
| I'm seeking information on the "Port Jackson Pine Tree" (Australia). I have limited information so far. It's low maintenance, drought tolerant, termite resistant and suitable for growing as a hedge. I have an idea for it to be used as a maze in a Community Garden.
Where in Australia can I buy this tree from? I have done a search and it seems to be as rare as hen's teeth.
|
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Port Jackson Pine Tree
| | |
| Port Jackson cypress (callitris rhomboidea) would be ideal for a maze, but have you thought how many plants you'd need. It's a pity you can't find some of these small trees growing somewhere and take cuttings and grow your own. I'd imagine that the bigger nurseries like Kuranga (vic), Sydney Wildflower Nursery, Stocks or Mole Station Nursery would be able to advise on availability of a large quantity. |
RE: Port Jackson Pine Tree
| | |
| Its natural habitat is coastal hills and eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, in rainfall zones above about 600 mm p.a. I find it hard to believe it would thrive in Broken Hill's climate and alkaline soils, unless well irrigated. But then I recall seeing some very healthy trees of Pittosporum rhombifolium there, another species from a moist coastal climate. So maybe it would be OK. C. rhomboidea was used as a formal hedge in the Mt Tomah Botanic Garden, planted somewhere around 1988 I think. It has performed quite well, kept trimmed to a height of about 2 m and turning a rich brown in winter. But with maturity it has lost the foliage close to the ground, so you can see through beneath the plants. |
RE: Port Jackson Pine Tree
| | |
Seed from this tree remain on the branches, much like that of the Callistemon and can be collected in the same way. Seed is rough, dark brown, winged and many are infertile.
Growth from seed is slow in the early stages. |
RE: Port Jackson Pine Tree
| | |
Hardier species of Callitris may be a better option for your climate, there are a number that grow in semi arid areas (ie Callitris glaucophylla, which may well be local to your area). All are attractive as young plants but do tend to gain a bare trunk with age.
Most revegetation services etc include callitris species in their growing lists. |
|
|
|
|
